Good News on Contraceptive Mandate: "No Ruling"—U.S. Supreme Court Sends Case Back to Lower Courts
Aimee Herd : May 16, 2016
Fox News
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"The Supreme Court was right to protect the Christian colleges and other groups from not having to pay fines or fill out forms authorizing the objectionable coverage ... We look forward to addressing the remaining details as we advance these cases in the lower courts."
(Washington, DC)—The US Supreme Court on Monday came to a decision to make no decision on the case involving the contraceptive mandate and whether or not the Catholic non-profit, Little Sisters of the Poor and other faith-based organizations would be forced by the government to provide abortifacients and contraceptives to employees, against their beliefs. (Photo: Little Sisters of the Poor)
In the decision, the high court said, "The Court expresses no view on the merits of the cases. In particular, the Court does not decide whether petitioners' religious exercise has been substantially burdened, whether the Government has a compelling interest, or whether the current regulations are the least restrictive means of serving that interest."
In the unanimous decision, the court sent the case back down to the Federal Appeals Courts to be reconsidered.
Alliance Defending Freedom's Senior Counsel, David Cortman noted, "Religious organizations have the freedom to peacefully operate according to their beliefs without fear of severe penalties by the government. The Supreme Court was right to protect the Christian colleges and other groups from not having to pay fines or fill out forms authorizing the objectionable coverage. The government has many other ways to ensure women are able to obtain these drugs without forcing people of faith to participate in acts that violate their deepest convictions. We look forward to addressing the remaining details as we advance these cases in the lower courts." (Photo via The Becket Fund)
The non-ruling of the Supreme Court is being seen as a "significant victory" for religious freedom.